These days you can hardly open a newspaper or turn on the television without seeing a story about a flood somewhere in the United States. While floods can be devastating for homeowners, there are steps you can take to safeguard your assets and keep your family safe. Here are some tips for creating your family flood action plan.
Advance Planning
The best time to prepare for a flood is long before it ever happens. If you live in a known flood plain, the likelihood of a flood is high, but you can also be subject to flooding from major storms, especially hurricanes. Also, if your area has been getting heavy rain recently and you are seeing flash flood alerts on the weather reports, it’s best to prepare for the worst.
First, know that your regular homeowners’ insurance won’t cover flood damage, so you need to purchase a separate policy for this. This need for extra coverage has caught many property owners off guard during recent disasters–don’t be one of them! Your home insurance provider can recommend a good flood insurance carrier, if they don’t offer flood insurance themselves, or they may partner with one to make all your paperwork as easy as possible.
Next, if you live in a high-risk area for flooding, or if a major storm is imminent, stock up on essentials to get you through the storm. Have a stash of non-perishable food you can eat without needing to cook it, as well as a supply of fresh water. Don’t forget to keep extra important medications and pet supplies on hand too. An emergency radio and flashlights are basic supplies every home should have.
Consider putting together a family preparedness binder. Use it to house important documents, like birth certificates and insurance policies, in case you need to evacuate quickly and don’t have time to assemble everything. Make sure to include a plan for how family members will communicate with each other if they are separated at the time of a flood.
Emergency Action
If a flood alert is issued for your area, you need to assess the very real possibility of evacuating. Many people wait until it’s too late, and the exit routes are clogged or completely blocked. Pay attention to news that tells of the best route away from your home, if you have to leave, and where you can take shelter locally.
Whether you leave or stay, you should shut off your utilities, such as gas and electricity, at the main switches. Don’t touch anything with live electricity if you are standing in even an inch of water. Be ready for the flood to get worse, and although it may have looked like you could stay, you may have to leave your home temporarily.
Post-Flood Care
Wait until it is safe to return to your home if you have evacuated. Try to minimize your contact with flood waters, since they can contain raw sewage, chemicals, motor fuel, and the like. If another storm moves in or waters rise again, you may have to leave a second time.
If your home is damaged as a result of a flood, try to document as much as possible with a video camera or your mobile phone. This will make things easier for your insurance carrier and help you file a claim faster.
Your home is probably your largest asset, so be sure to protect it from the severe damage that floods can precipitate. Be ready for emergencies and have proper flood insurance, and you can survive a water disaster with a minimum of crisis to your family.
The post Do You Live In A Flood Risk Area? Your Home Action Plan appeared first on On Getting Company Health Insurance | Insurance Forum 101.